Now, New York City will honor its own hallowed ground of jazz as it prepares to designate the neighborhood of Addisleigh Park in southern Queens a historic district for its role as home to some of the nation’s greatest African-American musicians.

The bucolic enclave near St. Albans, just north of Linden Boulevard, was once home to Count Basie, Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald, among dozens of other jazz greats. Superstar athletes also laid down roots there, including Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Joe Louis.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission took the first step yesterday by proposing the neighborhood’s designation, which would put restrictions on changes to the appearances of homes and limit what developers could build there.

“I’m proud to put this extraordinary community on the path to historic-district designation,” said commission chairman Robert Tierney. “Its cultural heritage and architectural treasures clearly warrant the commission’s serious attention.”

The proposed district would include 426 mostly single-family homes, remarkably well-preserved after the seven or more decades since they were built.

The list of jazz giants who populated the mere 60 blocks is astounding, beginning with Fats Waller, whose move to the neighborhood broke the barrier against blacks owning, or even renting, homes there.

Greg Mays, a longtime resident of Addisleigh Park and former president of its civic association, said homeowners there consider themselves the stewards of an important chapter of history — and most are eager for historic designation.

“The sense of the historic significance of this place is palpable,” said Mays, “by both the young and the old who live here.”

Mays said old-timers remember the days when Count Basie opened his home so neighborhood kids could swim in his backyard pool. Or the recording sessions in jazz great Illinois Jacquet’s house.

A public hearing on creating the historic district is set for March 23. A final vote has yet to be scheduled.